University Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life

Location: Hickory, North Carolina 

Position Summary

The University Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life serves as a key leader within the Student Experience Leadership Team and reports directly to the Vice President for Student Experience and Dean of Students. The University Pastor is called to minister and provide pastoral leadership to the Lenoir-Rhyne University community, including students, faculty, and staff. This role guides and enriches the spiritual and religious life of the university by engaging a spiritually diverse campus community through the design and promotion of interfaith and religious programming for all faith traditions.

Working in close partnership with the Dean and Rector of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, the University Pastor coordinates the Lifelong Learning program to establish LTSS as a Lifelong Learning Hub, explore the needs and gifts of constituents, including churches and alumni, and collaborate across the church and community to create dynamic partnerships.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Student workers and sacristans, providing guidance and mentorship.

Pastoral Leadership and Spiritual Life Responsibilities  

• Provide compassionate pastoral care and spiritual counseling to students, faculty, and staff. 
• Plan, coordinate, and support all campus worship services, including Baccalaureate and university-wide services. 
• Oversee the operations of Grace Chapel, including policy development, reservations, and space management. 
• Provide prayer, devotions, and spiritual leadership at major university events and gatherings.
• Serve as advisor for the Lutheran Student Movement and support student faith leadership development. 
• Cultivate ecumenical and interfaith engagement and coordinate a diverse cohort of volunteer chaplains and faith leaders.
• Organize campus programs and events that strengthen community, belonging, and spiritual formation.
• Serve in an on-call capacity for campus emergencies, providing pastoral care as needed. 

Lifelong Learning Program Coordination Responsibilities

• Provide coordination and leadership for the Lifelong Learning Program as a central initiative of the LTSS Strategic Plan. 
• Coordinate with the Dean and Rector of LTSS and faculty to develop an annual non-degree program (certificates, lectures, and continuing education offerings), including Public Safety Chaplaincy and the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program and assist with the development of new certificates, micro-credentials, or courses for non-degree learners. 
• Build strategic partnerships with ELCA Region 9 synods, UMC conferences, alumni, congregations, and theological education partners.
• Cultivate relationships with the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries, the Atlanta Theological Association, and peer institutions.
• Identify and develop funding sources and philanthropic partnerships to support program growth.
• Lead marketing and recruitment efforts in collaboration with LRU Marketing and Communications.
• Host lifelong learning events and programs, demonstrating hospitality and institutional leadership.

Additional Requirements and Expectations 

• Serve on the LTSS Leadership Team.
• Manage departmental and program budgets with responsible financial stewardship.
• Prepare reports and assessments as required.
• Maintain strong collaboration with university colleagues and external partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of institutional mission and strategic priorities. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel with students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.
• Standard office hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends based on demand.  Subject to change based on university needs. 

Education and Experience

• Master's degree (M.Div.) with at least 5 years of related experience preferably as a campus minister, college chaplain or congregation pastor with experience in young adult ministry.
• An ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. 
• Proficiency with the traditions and values of Lutheran higher education.
• Proven ability as a creative and innovative worship leader.
• Experience working with undergraduate and graduate students, accompanying them on their spiritual journey and faith development.
• A commitment to interfaith work and experience working with individuals of diverse faith traditions.
• Dedicated to creating an inclusive community that embraces difference and works to champion and sense of belonging and a welcoming environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills in development of campus ministry programming.
• Ability to work collaboratively with university colleagues and community partners. 

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, and values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Position requirements in the above mentioned role indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove or waive the position's responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:

• Cover letter, specifically discussing how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position.
• Resume, including the names and emails of three references. References will only be contacted for finalists, and candidates will be notified in advance.

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation, and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good. 

About Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) of Lenoir-Rhyne University was founded in 1830. One of seven ELCA seminaries in the United States, LTSS is the only ELCA seminary in the Southeast. Rich in tradition and welcoming to seminarians from many denominations, LTSS boasts a dedicated, collegial faculty and a broad alumni base of distinguished regional and national church leaders. LTSS is designated as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) seminary and, as a seminary of the ELCA, is positioned to faithfully serve the synods of Region 9 strategically and uniquely.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University  

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds. 

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved. 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
 

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